Bushy Park - Camp Griffiss

From July 1942 Bushy Park, known as Camp Griffiss, became an extensive United States Air Force and Army base, accommodating approximately 8,000 service personnel. The camp was named after Lieutenant Colonel Griffiss, the first American officer to perish in the war. In addition, the park was home to the National Physical Laboratory, which made several ground-breaking advances in aerodynamic technology, including the development of the Spitfire. The central path running through the park was the landing strip. The park was an excellent base as the facilities could be well-disguised amidst the leafy park land and scenic boating lakes, all the while playing host to some of the most vital high level discussions. The Eighth Air Force Bomber Command oversaw the bombing of key targets in Western Europe and played a crucial role in D-Day preparations. Three days prior to the scheduled D-Day operations, from 2 to 17 June 1944, ‘the Mighty Eighth’ commenced operation 384, bombing several regions in France to divert attention from the main assault areas during the Normandy landings. To commemorate the work of the US Eighth Air Force, a plaque was installed by the Royal Air Force in 1999 with the inscription “It is through fraternity that liberty is saved”. Whilst accommodation was constructed within the camp, many service personnel lived in the surrounding areas of Kingston and Teddington, including Eisenhower himself, who later resided in the nearby Telegraph Cottage, Warren Road, Kingston.

In 1944, the park began to play an even more vital role in the Allied liberation of Europe, when it became home to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. Here, General Eisenhower began planning the Allied invasion of Europe, Operation Overlord. The offices and Nissen huts built during the war have since been demolished. However, there is a brick path marking the location of Eisenhower’s office and the entrance he used to discretely enter the camp, the SHAEF Gate, has been reopened to the public. Bushy Park today covers a vast area and is managed by The Royal Parks, reflecting a more tranquil site for exploring London’s wartime heritage.